Ignoring it will always make the problem worse and more expensive. Unless you're going to be a complete putz in court, the worst possible outcome is that you wasted perhaps an hour of your time and still have to pay the ticket that you already had to pay anyway. This is the only way to get out of a ticket or reduce the cost.
There are no court costs. Points are set by statute, a judge cannot give you points off your license because they're having a bad day. You may wish to pursue free legal assistance to clarify the laws in your area before disputing the ticket.
Just don't try violence or threaten or curse at the judge or the pig and the worst that will happen is that you don't get the ticket reduced or dismissed. There is no consequence for disputing the ticket.
If you cannot afford to pay the ticket by the deadline, you must show up in court to dispute it.
If the cop shows up beforehand, they may try to talk to you and try to screw you into admitting guilt. DO NOT TALK TO THE COP!!!